HARTSVILLE, S.C. — Coker College will host its first-ever winter commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 17 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Watson Theater of Coker College’s Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center. Jay Lucas, representative for 65th District in the South Carolina House of Representatives, will deliver the keynote address and be awarded an honorary doctorate of law.

The College will award 77 degrees, while the Class of 2010 will announce the Distinguished Adjunct Professor-of-the-Year award.

“We are honored to have Jay Lucas as our commencement speaker,” said Coker President Dr. Robert Wyatt. “Jay is a true champion of our region of South Carolina. His outstanding leadership skills serve as a great example for our graduates as they prepare for the next phase of their lives.”

Lucas has served the 65th District in the South Carolina House since 1998 and was elected Speaker Pro Tempore on November 17. Lucas is also a partner in the law firm Lucas, Warr and White, Attorneys at Law.

Lucas served as Financial Director for the City of Bennettsville from 1982 to 1984, County Administrator for Fairfield County from 1984 to 1986, County Attorney for Darlington County from 1990 to 1994 and Hartsville’s City Judge from 1995 to 1996.

He has been named Legislator of the Year by The Paul's Foundation, South Carolina Recreation, Parks and Tourism, South Carolina Solicitor's Association and South Carolina State Firefighter's Association. He won the Earle E. Morris, Jr., Public Policy Award and was named Professional of the Year by the Mental Health Association for Darlington County in 1999.

Currently, Lucas is Chairman of the Darlington County Republican Party and is a member of the Hartsville Lions Club. He is a past Board Member for the Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman for the Hartsville National League and past Co-Chairman for the South Carolina House Rural Caucus.

In 1975, Lucas graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Carolina (USC) with a bachelor’s degree. From USC, he also earned a Master of Public Administration in 1981 and a Juris Doctorate in 1987, graduating third in his class.

Lucas resides in Hartsville, S.C., with his wife, Tracy, and son, Will.

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Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.